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Apple Unveils watchOS 26 with Liquid Glass Design, Workout Buddy, and More

Apple Intelligence is soon going to power your workout experience

Abubakar Mohammed profile picture
by Abubakar Mohammed

Published 20 days ago

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image previewing the feature showcase on Apple's watchOS 26 update

Image Credit: Apple

Summary

  • Apple has announced the next major update to the Apple Watch – watchOS 26.
  • The latest version brings the all-new Liquid Glass design, with improvements to the Workout app and Smart Stack.
  • watchOS 26 will be available for beta testing through Apple Developer Program, starting today.

Apple has announced it's upcoming watchOS update at WWDC 2025, and like it's other operating systems this year, this year's iteration will be called watchOS 26. The update brings Apple's new Liquid Glass design language, improvements to the workout app, a new AI buddy, and improvements to Smart Stack. Here's everything you need to know.

With the new Liquid Glass design, the Apple Watch will adopt translucent backgrounds and floating elements across the OS including the Action Centre, Smart Stacks, Photo watch face, and Notifications. It's the biggest revamp Apple Watches has ever received.

However, the star of the show is the new Workout Buddy. It almost feels like a personal assistant that will motivate users by dictating their progress during a workout. It analyses health metrics and pushes notifications to help users stay motivated. Once done with a workout, it will congratulate and give users meaningful insights about the workout.

Apple watch updated workout app in action
Image Credit: Apple
Apple watch updated workout app in action
Image Credit: Apple

The Workout app is receiving a few new changes, including a better layout. There are now buttons in the corners of the app to make it easier to navigate everything from your custom workouts to goals and Pacer. Additionally, the app adds Apple Music media integration, selects and plays playlists or podcasts based on their previous workout listening history.

Apple Watch Workout app with music suggestions
Image Credit: Apple
Apple Watch Workout app with music suggestions
Image Credit: Apple

The Messages app on watchOS 26 will now translate texts in real-time. Apple calls it Live Translation, and they will be coming to Apple Watch 9 and above watches with an Apple-intelligence supported phone. Messages also gets better smart replies and generates contextual suggestions. For example, if a friend asks you where you are, Messages will give users a Find My-powered Share Location pill.

Then there's the Notes app coming to watchOS 26, allowing users to access their synced notes right from their wrists. Besides, Apple Watches are getting new flick gestures which they can use to dismiss notifications, incoming calls, and silence alarms and timers. 

Apple watch screens with Live Translation, Suggestions, and Notes app
Image Credit: Apple
Apple watch screens with Live Translation, Suggestions, and Notes app
Image Credit: Apple

A small but notable improvement is that the Apple Watch now gauges the ambient sound around a user to automatically adjust the incoming notification or call volume. Finally, Apple's supercharging Smart Stack with its new UI and an improved algorithm to show more contextual, sensor and routine data. Besides, features like Hold Assist and Call Screening will also be coming to watchOS 26.

watchOS 26 and its new features are currently available for beta testing starting today through the Apple Developer Program. It will be available for the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), Watch Series 6 or later and all Watch Ultra models, provided they're paired to an iPhone 11 or newer devices, running iOS 26.

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Apple
Abubakar Mohammed profile picture
Abubakar Mohammed

Guides Writer

Expertise :

Abubakar is a seasoned Tech Journalist who covers everything Android and consumer electronics. He's a die-hard self-repair enthusiast who loves to dive into the specifics of consumer tech. In his free time, you will find him hunting heads in Valorant. He has previously worked with Android Police and How-to Geek.

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